female runners in next month's Marathon Derby.

In a bid to raise standards and produce a faster winning time over the gruelling 13.2 mile course, Sports R US boss Darren Mayeaux has offered the bonus for the second year in a row.

But in order to collect the cash, the winning male will have to equal or beat the current record time of one hour, eight minutes and 30 seconds, and the leading lady will need to eclipse 1.19.07.

Last year, winner Kavin Smith missed out on the money when he won in 1.09.58 while women's champion Anna Eatherley was also well short of the record, clocking 1.23.08.

But Mayeaux believes that by making his offer this year several weeks earlier, the athletes can be better prepared.

"It's definitely going to be more exciting this year because everyone will have had early notice. In fact, some runners have already come into our store and asked whether the offer would be made again this time around,'' said Mayeaux.

"Because of the interest, we have approached the organisers and got their approval. Now everything is in place.

"What we like about this is that it gives the runners an extra incentive to work hard at raising their level.

"The top athletes can strive to reach another standard in order that they can go away and compete with elite runners in international races.'' Mayeaux said he was pleased with the positive response from Marathon Derby officials.

Last year Derby Committee secretary Richard Tucker noted that there hadn't been "much incentive'' over the years for participants to run the race and that the cash offer was a "tremendous shot in the arm, something that should build up enthusiasm.''